NASA’s celestial gift on Valentine’s Day; shares stunning snapshot of spiral galaxy | Tech News

NASA’s celestial gift on Valentine’s Day; shares stunning snapshot of spiral galaxy

NASA shared a snapshot of cosmic "bloom" on their Instagram page, showcasing spiral galaxy NGC 3256.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Feb 16 2024, 18:02 IST
NASA's lunar mission tracking device: Know all about Laser Retroreflective Arrays
NASA NGC 3256
1/5 NASA uses a smart but simple tracking device to keep track of lunar missions. The device is named Laser Retroreflective Array (LRA) which identifies the locations of lunar landers. NASA said, “ LRAs are inexpensive, small, and lightweight, allowing future lunar orbiters or landers to locate them on the Moon.” (NASA/ YouTube )
NASA NGC 3256
2/5 According to the NASA report, The LRA is made up of a small aluminium hemisphere and has a 5 cm diameter. It weighs only 20 grams with 1.27 cm corner cube retroreflectors which are made up of fused silica glass. (NASA/ YouTube )
NASA NGC 3256
3/5 LRAs are crafted to reflect laser light from various angles over a wide range. Daniel Cremons of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, deputy principal investigator for the LRA project said, “Unlike a mirror where it has to be pointed exactly back at you, you can come in at a wide variety of angles and the light will head directly back to the source.” (NASA/ YouTube )
NASA NGC 3256
4/5 Scientists can easily identify the distance between spacecraft by sending a laser beam from one retroreflector to another and then measuring the time it takes for the light to travel back to its starting point. These LRA’s work closely with orbiting satellites for navigation purposes just like a GPS.  (NASA/ YouTube )
NASA NGC 3256
5/5 The LRA’s are also used for docking proposes like the cargo spacecraft. The device helps spacecraft find a landing pad, even without the need for any external light. Therefore, the device can also be used to land on “permanently shadowed regions near the lunar South Pole” which is a highly targeted area due to speculated resource availability. (NASA/ YouTube )
NASA NGC 3256
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NGC 3256 is a spiral galaxy that resembles a rose, as per NASA. (ESA/Webb/NASA/CSA/L. Armus/A. Evans)

What's a better Valentine's present for the one you love than a glance into the universe's cosmic wonders? In a celestial gesture, NASA shared a charming snapshot of a cosmic "bloom" on their Instagram web page. The picture showcases NGC 3256, a celestial spiral galaxy positioned around one hundred twenty million light-years away. This stunning cosmic spectacle is the final result of a celestial come across, in which big spiral galaxies collided and merged around 500 million years ago, creating a tremendous display of cosmic beauty.

NGC 3256: A spiral galaxy

The picture posted by NASA, described as a cosmic bloom, features a large, face-on spiral galaxy positioned towards a backdrop of space. The center of NGC 3256 radiates with excessive brightness, casting a glow over the encircling region. Surrounding the principal galaxy is a dark grey halo composed of stars from the galaxy, giving intensity to the scene. Dozens of small, distant stars and galaxies also can be seen scattered in the course of the image, including the cosmic spectacle.

This stunning portrayal of NGC 3256 reminds us of the splendour and complexity of our universe. Whether you're an astronomy fanatic or just appreciate the wonders of this area, the image is certain to captivate audiences of all ages.

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NASA's Instagram post has gained huge interest, with people expressing awe and admiration for the breathtaking cosmic bloom. Since the post was shared on Instagram it has gained over 68,000 likes and numerous comments.

Among the reactions, one person likened the picture to a stunning red rose, while others wished NASA a Happy Valentine's Day. Many others expressed their appreciation for the fascinating splendour captured within the image. As we celebrate love and connection, let us also take time to reflect on the universe's endless splendour and cosmic mysteries.

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First Published Date: 16 Feb, 18:02 IST
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